Major Bridgestone Arena Renovation Project Officially Underway

Issue #722

May 06, 2026

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🌤️ Columbia’s Thursday Weather - Sunny, some clouds w/ high of 69, low of 41

📰 Major Bridgestone Arena Renovation Project Officially Underway

🏐 Adult Volleyball Leagues Start Up Next Week!

🎸 The Ryman’s 134th Birthday Sale

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Major Bridgestone Arena Renovation Project Officially Underway

Big changes are coming to Bridgestone Arena as the Nashville Predators begin a multi-year renovation project aimed at modernizing the venue for concerts, hockey games, and major events.

The project, called “Smashville’s Next Stage: Broadway 2030,” will roll out in phases over the next several years while keeping the arena fully operational. Early upgrades beginning this offseason will focus heavily on improving the fan experience, especially when it comes to getting around the building more easily and entering the arena faster.

One of the biggest changes fans will notice first is a new escalator system at the Demonbreun Street entrance. The redesign will improve access to all public levels of the arena, including suites and lounges that were previously harder to reach. Concourse areas and concessions are also expected to see updates designed to reduce crowd congestion and improve overall flow during busy events.

The arena is also expanding its SoBro box office area and upgrading security screening technology to help speed up entry lines. Behind the scenes, crews will begin major infrastructure work, including updates to the arena’s ice systems and future plans for a new ice floor.

The larger renovation project will continue through the summers of 2027, 2028 and 2029, with most work expected to be completed before the 2029-30 season. Arena officials say fan feedback will help shape many of the future upgrades as the project moves forward.

🏐 Adult Volleyball Leagues Start Up Next Week!

When's the last time you actually did something fun and active with other adults that wasn't just going to the gym alone with headphones in?

Tim Cooper gets it. He runs the volleyball clubs at Hustle Factory (5191 Joe Peay Rd, Spring Hill), and he's been getting lots of messages from adults in Maury and Williamson Counties asking if there's anything available for them.

Because here's the thing: making friends as an adult is ridiculously hard.

"As an adult, it's super hard to connect and make friends," Tim says. "I've always been blessed because I play sports. That's been my outlet to get to know people. But if you don't do that, you've got to be even more intentional about it."

So he's doing something about it. Adult volleyball leagues start next Tuesday at Hustle Factory in Spring Hill.

And before you start thinking "but I don't have a team" or "I haven't played since high school," just hang on. You can sign up solo as a free agent and they'll put you on a team. Or grab some friends (maybe two couples looking for something to do besides another dinner out?) and you've got a 4v4 squad ready to go.

They've got co-ed, men's, and women's divisions. Recreational level for people who just want to have fun. Competitive for people who kinda know what they're doing. Advanced for the folks who played in college or take this stuff seriously.

When you register, you'll pick your skill level so you're not accidentally matched against some 6'7" former college player when you're just there to enjoy yourself. The whole thing runs six Tuesday nights with a tournament finale in the seventh week. Winners get prizes.

Tim didn't even start playing volleyball until he was 24, way after college. "It's such a great sport to get into at any age," he says. So if you're thinking you missed your window, you didn't.

This is Hustle Factory's first time offering adult leagues in the area, though they've been running successful weekend tournaments since 2022 that draw players from as far as Atlanta. If these leagues take off, Tim's hoping to keep them going regularly.

And honestly? The volleyball community is real. Once you're in, you're in for life. There's something about playing a sport together that creates connections in a way that's hard to find elsewhere.

Registration's open now. Leagues start next Tuesday. If you've been looking for a reason to get moving and meet some people, this might be it.

The Ryman’s 134th Birthday Sale

Celebrate the Ryman’s birthday with 134 hours of savings. Grab buy one, get one free* tickets on select Ryman shows throughout the summer, and come see why this stage has been iconic since 1892.

Offer valid through Saturday, May 9 at 11:59 PM local time. 

Click for contact info

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Thursday, May 7th

Friday, May 8th

Saturday, May 9th

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Thursday, May 7
Todd Ciprian - Tito’s, 6–9 PM
Music With a Mission - The Mulehouse, 7:30 PM

Friday, May 8
TBA - The Spot Burgers & Beers, 5–8 PM
TBA - River Terrace, 6–8 PM
Bethany Trainor - Buck & Board, 6–8 PM
John Conlee - The Mulehouse, 7:30 PM
Zachariah Smith - Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM

Saturday, May 9
Nick Bentley - Keg Springs Winery, 2–5 PM
Crossbridges - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 3–7 PM
Classic Vinyl - Hampshire Hills Distillery, 5–9 PM
TBA - River Terrace, 6–8 PM
Larkin & Leigh - Twisted Copper, 7–8:30 PM
Curated Writers Round - The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM
Real Deal Band - The Rebel Bar & Grill, 7:30 PM
Will Nance & Friends - Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM
The Ministry of Fun - Twisted Copper, 8:30–10 PM

Sunday, May 10
The Sins - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 1–5 PM

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